6. Mesopotamia IV

Mesopotamia Overview

  • Course: ARKY 325: Ancient Civilizations

  • Term: Winter 2025

Akkadian Empire (2334-2230 BCE)

  • The Akkadian language is a Semitic language.

  • Before the Empire: Rulership shifted among various city-states and dynasties.

  • Formation of Empire:

    • In 2334 BC, an Akkadian official seized control of the city-state of Kish.

    • He overthrew the king of Uruk, taking the name Sargon (meaning “legitimate ruler”).

Sargon of Akkad

  • Legend of Sargon:

    • Born to a priestess of the temple of Ishtar, Sargon was placed in a basket and set adrift on the Euphrates.

    • Found by the king’s household and raised, he eventually became a ruler.

    • Parallels are drawn to the story of Moses in the Old Testament.

Sargon's Reign and Expansion

  • After conquering Uruk, Sargon became the ruler of Akkad and Sumer.

  • Established the capital at Akkad (near modern Baghdad).

  • Famously known for his statuary and harbor.

  • Expanded the empire by attacking neighboring regions.

  • Under Sargon, the Akkadian language became the lingua franca of the Near East for 2000 years.

  • Sargon reigned for approximately 50 years, succeeded by his two sons (who ruled for 8 and 14 years) and grandson Naram-Sin (who ruled for almost 40 years).

Naram-Sin of Akkad

  • Declared himself a divine ruler: “King of the Four Quarters, King of the Universe.”

  • Established the ruler as both a spiritual and secular authority, undermining temple institutions.

Governance under Naram-Sin

  • It remains unclear if Naram-Sin had direct control over larger city-states despite defeating them.

  • Appointed governors or administrators of conquered city-states.

    • Responsibilities: Implement policies, collect taxes, maintain order, ensure loyalty.

  • Focus on intensified irrigation expansion during his reign.

  • The Akkadian Empire collapsed about 100 years after Naram-Sin's death (2220 BC).

Imperial Ur (2112-2004 BCE)

  • Established after the fall of the Akkadian Empire by King Ur-Nammu.

  • Ur-Nammu rose to prominence after defeating Lagash, earning the title King of Sumer and Akkad.

  • Recognized as the last Sumerian dynasty, sometimes referred to as the Neo-Sumerian Empire.

Accomplishments of Ur-Nammu

  • Constructed large ziggurats.

  • Developed the earliest known law codes found on tablets in Nippur.

  • Transformed Ur into a significant port for Indian Ocean trade.

  • Engaged in trade (copper from Oman, gold from India, wool, and textiles).

  • Expanded influence using diplomacy and religion rather than warfare.

Law Codes of Ur-Nammu

  • Divided society into free and slave categories.

  • Written in the first person, asserting the king's voice as justice for all, including the vulnerable (widows and orphans).

  • Includes monetary fines for injuries, with capital punishment for serious crimes (murder, robbery, adultery, and rape).

  • Established a legal precursor to later codes such as that of Hammurabi (~300 years later).

Code of Hammurabi (~1800 BC)

  • A detailed Babylonian law code with 282 laws.

  • Addresses penalties for perjury, robbery, murder, and responsibilities of builders if buildings collapse.

Shulgi, Successor to Ur-Nammu

  • Shulgi, Ur-Nammu’s son, expanded and standardized the empire’s administration.

  • Appointed governors, regulated tax and tribute collection.

  • Wool textiles remained a principal export, but the empire declined after Shulgi's reign due to weak leadership in successors.

Summary of Key Points

  • Ubaid Period: Foundation of Mesopotamian society with temple institutions, irrigation agriculture, and writing.

  • Akkadian Empire & Imperial Ur: Represented centralized power with a single ruler across city-states, divine claims by rulers, and the establishment of legal codes.

  • The region saw fragile political units and extreme socio-economic disparities.